I'd like some input as to what you all woudl think is reasonable abd fair in a situation.

I had an HID kit that I was using in my wife's Jeep. We decided to sell it (H4 Kit), so I sold it as a civic kit which is what it originally was. I took it out of the Jeep and shipped immediately upon selling. It was fully functional in the jeep and in great shape when I inspected it before packing.

That was about a month ago. The buyer contacted me yesterday and sent me pictures of what looks like a cracked base on the bulb. He says that the bulb lights up but the "focus is totally off"

How would you handle this after this much time and the fact the kit worked when it left your hands? I'm not saying the buyer is lying but that I had no issue when i shipped.


Here is the pic

 

I got stuck in a situation like this.

I ended up eating the cost of what I sold. I wasnt happy about it in the least, and it wasnt my fault whatsoever but thats how it goes.

 

I would file a claim with the shipping company if possible.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CPR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would file a claim with the shipping company if possible.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, didn't you insure them?

 

It's been so long at this point I don't recall how I shipped (FedEx Ground if i had to guess) and have no documentation after the buyer got the parts.

 

That sucks, sounds like you'll be in the same boat as RJ was.

Theres not much recourse in your case then unfortunately.

Sorry.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That sucks, sounds like you'll be in the same boat as RJ was.

Theres not much recourse in your case then unfortunately.

Sorry.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am curious why you would consider the seller responsible when it took almost 30 days to report an issue like this. This stuff was sold March 23rd.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That sucks, sounds like you'll be in the same boat as RJ was.

Theres not much recourse in your case then unfortunately.

Sorry.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

By recourse I hope people are saying its just done and no one really can do anything. Personally, after a month of not knowing how it was used/installed etc.. I couldn't give money back. Especially if it worked fine when I shipped it. If it was damaged when he recieved it, that needed to be addressed asap and pointed out to the shipping company.

He might feel like making you out to be the bad guy, but it is out of your hands as a seller. You are not a shop with 1yr warranties or something.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by splitime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

By recourse I hope people are saying its just done and no one really can do anything. Personally, after a month of not knowing how it was used/installed etc.. I couldn't give money back. Especially if it worked fine when I shipped it. If it was damaged when he recieved it, that needed to be addressed asap and pointed out to the shipping company.

He might feel like making you out to be the bad guy, but it is out of your hands as a seller. You are not a shop with 1yr warranties or something.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is how I feel Dave. Not to mention these are used parts we are talking about. I am not saying used means broken but don't expect it to come wrapped up in a bow and have a warranty.

FYI that bulb still works but doesn't focus and I am not clear what that means. but I do know he didn't use the reflector cap that comes with the bulb.

 

yeah i wouldnt refund the money.... 30 days is a lot of time to be waiting around to tell someone you received your **** broken... I would have let someone know the second I received my busted merchandise

 

Buyer should have inspected the package and reported any damage ASAP. I don't think you should have to refund any money after a month has gone by. If I felt like being a nice guy, I might offer to split the cost of a new bulb, but you shouldn't feel at fault after that long a time frame IMO.

 

Let them be...

Apologize for the issue, but also state that it was not like that when you shipped it. And, if it was like that when received, that it should have been brought up. 30 days is too long.

 

I would not worry about it waiting that long to tell the seller there is something wrong is just stupid...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by splitime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

By recourse I hope people are saying its just done and no one really can do anything. Personally, after a month of not knowing how it was used/installed etc.. I couldn't give money back. Especially if it worked fine when I shipped it. If it was damaged when he recieved it, that needed to be addressed asap and pointed out to the shipping company.

He might feel like making you out to be the bad guy, but it is out of your hands as a seller. You are not a shop with 1yr warranties or something.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree with him 100%

 

Trey, if he waited 1 month to claim (damage), it's his problem.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by splitime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

By recourse I hope people are saying its just done and no one really can do anything. Personally, after a month of not knowing how it was used/installed etc.. I couldn't give money back. Especially if it worked fine when I shipped it. If it was damaged when he recieved it, that needed to be addressed asap and pointed out to the shipping company.

He might feel like making you out to be the bad guy, but it is out of your hands as a seller. You are not a shop with 1yr warranties or something.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed 100%.

If it wasn't happening when the HIDs were first recieved, and just occured now - it's not your issue.

You can't be responsible for this - who knows what the real cause was, but shipping/packaging issues don't surface after 1 month with something like this - they happen immediately. I'd say its not your issue to fix.

 

i agree with everyone above.

did you have any contact with him between the time he received the package and when he contacted you about the broken cover?

i don't know how FedEx handles shipping but i've used UPS because i get an email as soon as the package is signed for. then i contact the receiver to make sure everything is ok. i do this to cover my own ***.

 

What if he didn't have time to do the install and he just got it all up and running. He wouldn't have known it was broken if he was just waiting for a free weekend to install it. I'm not saying you are at fault most likely the shipping company, but I kinda like the idea of splitting a new bulb (how much do they run for). Just cusious but how was the packaging job? Do you personally feel that you have any obligation in the matter?

P.S. I think the light color-output changes in HID bulbs over time, so if he got a new one they would probly look different. Maybe he should just buy a new set of bulbs?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jon V &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What if he didn't have time to do the install and he just got it all up and running. He wouldn't have known it was broken if he was just waiting for a free weekend to install it. I'm not saying you are at fault most likely the shipping company, but I kinda like the idea of splitting a new bulb (how much do they run for).</TD></TR></TABLE>

If a replacement bulb isn't really expensive(i have 0 experience with HIDs), then I'd offer to split the cost with him. Otherwise, not much you can do. A refund in this case seems extreme..

 

Well really you don't wait one month till you look at what's in the box. He should have checked to see if things were ok the day the package got to him. It only takes a few mins. Even if it was broken by the shipping company i dont think they will pay for it since it's been so long.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Asahi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I am curious why you would consider the seller responsible when it took almost 30 days to report an issue like this. This stuff was sold March 23rd. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Totally my misunderstanding Trey, I was under the wrong assumption (after misreading) that this all happened within the short period of shipping the item, in which case I would persue the insurance and or the shipping company for damage. I never meant that it was anyones fault other than possibly the shipping company.

I'm sorry if I misread or misunderstood, I was in a rush which is equally dumb since I just should have read and posted later.

I too agree with splitime.

Best of luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jon V &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What if he didn't have time to do the install and he just got it all up and running. He wouldn't have known it was broken if he was just waiting for a free weekend to install it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Package still should have been inspected upon receipt.


Modified by Mugen Mike at 11:46 AM 4/22/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Package still should have inspected upon receipt.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep. Even shipping companies have limits on when you can file a claim for shipping damage. But regardless, you should always inspect a package ASAP.

 

I just say that because I have a set of Audi HIDS and prjectors in my room. Everything looks good but I won't really know till I hook it all up.

 

If he had a problem with it, then its his responsibility to contact you about it. He had plenty of time to. I know it didn't take 30 days for it to get to him. It was in good shape when you shipped it so its out of your hands and not your problem anymore. Had he contacted you right away, then I would consider a refund or at least tracking down what may have happened. You are no longer at fault or in anyway responsible for it. Thats my take on it.